Fuse block cover

ABSTRACT

A fuse block cover of a fuse block for plug-in type fuses is integrally formed with fuse detaching means consisting of a T-shaped groove adapted to be engaged with a head flange of a fuse without any interference with adjacent fuses arranged in a row in the fuse block, thereby facilitating the removal of the fuse from the fuse block without using any special removing tool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fuse block, more particularly to afuse block cover provided with fuse detaching means.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Hitherto used fuses are generally enclosed in respective glass tubeseach having at its ends conductors fitted thereon and terminals of afuse block are arranged above a surface of a base of the fuse block, sothat any one of the fuses is manually removed from the fuse block withease without using any jig or special tool. Recently, the fuses used forautomobiles, railroads, machines and the like have been greatlyincreased and therefore as the result of the investigation on size androbustness of fuses, smaller and more durable plug-in type fuses havebeen developed and widely used. The plug-in type fuses are availableunder the trade name "AUTO-FUSE". Such plug-in type fuses are so firmlyheld in a fuse block, that manual removal of them from the fuse block israther difficult and requires a particular tool adapted to be attachedto an inner side of a fuse block cover.

With this arrangement of the fuse block accommodating the plug-in typefuses, the tool should be housed inside of the fuse block and anoperator must take care of the tool so as not to lose it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a fuse block whicheliminates the above disadvantages of the prior art.

It is another object of the invention to provide a fuse block coverintegrally formed with fuse detaching means thereon, which isinexpensive and does not require particular precaution against the lossof a tool for removing fuses.

The invention will be more fully understood by referring to thefollowing detailed specification and claims taken in connection with theappended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a fuse block according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a partial enlarged perspective view showing fuse detachingmeans according to the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged perspective view showing another embodimentof fuse detaching means according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1 illustrating a preferred embodiment of theinvention, a fuse box according to the invention comprises a pluralityof plug-in type fuses 2, each having at its head a flange 3, a fuseblock 4 in which a number of the fuses are concentrically arranged, abase 6 provided on the upper surface of the fuse block and formed withopenings 8 for fitting therein the fuses, and a fuse block cover 10adapted to be fitted on the side faces of the base 6 for covering andguarding the fuses 2 and formed in one edge with fuse detaching means12.

FIG. 2 illustrates the fuse detaching means 12 in detail, wherein themeans consists of a T-shaped groove 14 formed along and (notexclusively) passing through one edge of the fuse block cover 10.

Referring to FIG. 3, fuse detaching means 12' consisting of a T-shapedgroove 14 similar to that shown in FIG. 2 is provided at one end of asurface of the fuse block cover 10 in the plane thereof. The thickness tof walls defining the T-shaped groove is less than the clearance Wbetween the fuses 2 spaced and secured in a row in the fuse block 4,thereby enabling the T-shaped groove 14 to receive therein the flange 3of the head of one of the fuses 2 arranged in a row in the fuse block 6.

How to use the fuse block cover according to the invention will beexplained hereinafter. Under a normal condition, the fuses 2 arecontinuously located in the fuse block 4 on which the cover 10 is fittedon the base 6. When it is required to remove one of fuses formaintenance and inspection, the fuse cover block 10 is first removedfrom the fuse block 4 to expose the fuses so as to find a wrong fuseamong them. By moving the fuse block cover 10 relative to the fuse block4, the flange of the head of the wrong fuse 2 is inserted into theT-shaped groove 14 of the fuse detaching means 12 or 12' provided in thefuse block cover 10 in a direction at right angles to the lengthwiseextension of the fuse block 4 or in a longitudinal direction of the fuse2 as clearly shown in FIG. 1. After the flange 3 of the head of the fuse2 and fuse detaching means 12 or 12' have been completely engaged inthis manner, the fuse can easily be removed from the base 6 by movingthe fuse block cover 10 utilizing the principle of the lever. If thefuse 2 is required to be exchanged, a new fuse having the same capacityas that of the removed fuse 2 is fitted in the position from which thewrong fuse 2 has been removed. If it is found that the old fuse 2 is notrequired to be changed, the fuse 2 may be again fitted in the originalposition. Finally, the fuse block cover 10 is fitted on the base 6 toguard the fuses 2.

In short, a part of the fuse block cover forms the fuse detaching means,thereby making easy the removal of fuses to provide a small typeinexpensive fuse block. Moreover, it is advantageous that there is nopossibility of losing a particular tool for removing the fuses as in theprior art.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in formand details can be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. In combination: a fuse block body receivingtherein fuses of plug-in type each having a flange at its head, and afuse block cover for protecting the fuses, said fuse block cover beingformed with means for engaging the flange of any one of the fuses in thebody, said means comprising a groove having a substantially T-shapedcross-section thereby enabling removal from said fuse block of a fusewhose flange has been inserted into said groove and engaged with saidmeans.
 2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said engaging means isformed along and passes through one edge of said fuse block cover. 3.The combination of claim 1, wherein said engaging means is formed at oneend of a surface of said fuse block cover in the plane thereof.